From Cruiser to Ocean Explorer: The Refit Behind Nesina’s Big Adventure

After transforming their 1979 yacht, Nesina, into a bluewater cruising home, Stephen and Morgan have set off on a full-time sailing journey around the globe. Following a full ocean-ready refit and featuring over 500 metres of Marlow rope throughout the yacht, their story is an inspiration and reminder that turning a dream into reality starts with a refit you can trust and rely on.

Before the Expedition: Stephen & Morgan’s Background

Stephen & Morgan both grew up in Guernsey and were lucky enough to have the sea as a big part of their lives. They both learnt to sail as children (Stephen raced), and met in 2011 when they were both Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Dinghy Instructors at the Guernsey Sailing Trust.

Stephen became a superyacht captain in 2015 and has cruised extensively in the Scandics and Caribbean, as well as much of western Europe and Southern Portugal. He holds his IYT Master 200GT, his MCA OOW 3000GT and is currently awaiting for his MCA Chief Mate 3000GT to be processed after completing all the requirements, courses and exams for that. He has also done quite a lot of yacht racing in the Channel Islands.

Morgan had land careers for a while, first as an accountant. Then, after going to university, she was a Geography and Business teacher, Head of Year and also ran the Navy contingent of a CCF contingent.

During these years, she completed her RYA Day Skipper, was part of the University of Oxford yacht racing team and has cruised from the Hebrides to Guernsey. Morgan has also worked in the yachting industry with Stephen during that period, and then full time from 2024.

From dinghies to yachts to superyachts, it has been a rather nautical life for them both!

The Choice to Sail Full-time: The Story Behind Nesina

In the late 90s, Morgan’s parents had the sister boat to Nesina which was called Chassina, however work and two young children meant the boat wasn’t being used as much in the latter years of ownership, therefore it was decided that a new owner would be best for Chassina.

In the following years, Morgan would ask her dad if they could get another sailing boat, to which the reply was always ‘Only if you can find a Moody 42 Ketch’…well, Morgan loves a mission! In 2018, we found Nesina for sale in Swanwick, where she was originally built, and she was then added to the family!

In 2019, Nesina was sailed from Guernsey to the Hebrides for a summer of memory making, however, when Morgan and her dad were sailing from Bangor in Northern Ireland to Aberdaron in North Wales, he suffered a stroke, and Morgan called a Mayday which resulted in the RNLI and Coastguard responding and for him to be airlifted to hospital for treatment.

He is now unfortunately no longer able to sail, and after many years of following other sailors adventuring around the world we thought perhaps it was time for us to give Nesina a new lease of life, refit her, and take her on another adventure!

The Inspiration behind the Adventure

Stephen & Morgan both have a real love of travel – they love seeing new cultures, exploring new landscapes, meeting new people and learning about the incredible world.

In addition, the changes happening to the world are fast, therefore they would love to see as many places and species as possible before they sadly disappear or change irreversibly.

They also see it as an opportunity to grow and learn individually and as a couple, both personally and professionally, and also to leave the ‘normal world’. Strip life back, and open their eyes, minds and hearts to what they would like their future life to be like.

It is also fair to say that following other people having adventures, both friends and strangers, has been inspiring and another motivation… a case of why sit and watch others if you could make your dream become your reality.

How Marlow Ropes was Essential to the Refit of Nesina

Marlow Ropes asked Stephen & Morgan why they chose Marlow for their re-rig of Nesina, a yacht that would be both their home and means of travel across their global expedition. Here’s what they said:

To prepare for the adventure we undertook a full refit to take Nesina from 1979 to 2026, and from a coastal cruising set up to an ocean crossing set up.

As part of this we asked Guernsey Yacht Rigging to do a rig inspection, and that unlocked a fantastic relationship with Remy and his team who have worked rigging magic onboard and given us such a great set up.

Follow Stephen & Morgan’s Journey

To follow along Stephen & Morgan’s journey aboard Nesina, follow their Instagram page here: https://www.instagram.com/sailingnesina/